Launch of Seaplane Operations in india

The Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Praful Patel will launch seaplane operations in india on 27 December 2010. It will be operationalised in Andaman & Nicobar Islands as per MOU signed between Andaman & Nicobar Administration and Pawan Hans Helicopters. This is the first time that Seaplane operations are being introduced in India. The service shall be provided with a Cessna 208A (capacity 2+8 passengers) Amphibian seaplane.
The operation of Sea Plane is a Scheme approved by Government of India for A & N Islands for giving impetus to Tourism infrastructure in the island. The operations shall be on a 50:50 loss/profit sharing basis between PHHL and Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The seaplane service shall connect Port Blair with Havelock and subsequently other islands in North Andamans to promote tourism. In Port Blair the sea plane is proposed to operate from the AirPort and in Havelock and Diglipur in the identified waterdrome.
To facilitate safe operations, facilities for ferrying of passengers from the shore to the pontoons, sanitization of the waterdrome before take off and landing, speed boat of 10 passenger capacity & one stand-by boat (inflatable Gemini boat) and one floating jetty (pantoon) each in the above locations have been placed.
The seaplane operations are being introduced as a major tourist attraction. Seaplanes will also be introduced in other areas of India such as Lakshadweep, Goa, Odisha, etc. Government of India has allowed 100% FDI in this sector.
25/12/10 PRESS RELEASE/Press Information Bureau

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Categories: New Dec 2010